We have often had to explain to people who we are and what we are doing involving ourselves in such an extensive project. Well, to answer this question, no, we are not representatives of Suffolk University nor are we a part of Suffolk’s Sustainability coordination team. Actually, we are not even science majors. We are a group of five undergraduate students who are working on a wind turbine/sustainability proposal. We are an interior designer, a Spanish language connoisseur, sociologist, businessman, and writer. And, now, we are also micro wind turbine experts.
Taking “Science in the 21st Century” course has led us to this “green” investigation where we are responsible for exploring and presenting a plan to aid Suffolk University in its quest for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
As we started this project, we had a myriad of different ideas in how to make Suffolk University more sustainable. We ranged from getting rid of the motion-sensing towel dispensers, decreasing the amount of elevators active after 4 o’clock, and adding rainwater absorbent bricks into the sidewalks.
But ultimately decided on the micro wind turbine project for, what we saw as, obvious reasons. The other proposals would certainly be effective and feasible but by installing the four micro wind turbines we would be conserving energy and creating a symbol for Suffolk which the other ideas would not have done.
Wind turbines would not require significant construction (as the bricks would have needed when digging into the sidewalk) and one could see tangible evidence of Suffolk’s appeal for sustainability (rather than noticing less elevators in service or the lack of motion sensors). We want to propose the micro wind turbine project to send a message to the Boston community that we, as a university, promote green energy and are involved in the progression for a sustainable future.
We don’t expect these turbines to produce enough energy to keep Miller Hall running nor do we expect them to power an entire office. What we expect is to create a symbol that will inspire not just Suffolk University’s student body, but, ultimately, Boston’s downtown community. We want a representation to show what “being green” means to Suffolk and how we are helping turn “bean town into green town.” Through the installation of four micro wind turbines atop the roof of Miller Hall, we will be promoting our contribution and our support for a green cause.
